Keeping up with the latest pop music, fashion trends and celeb gossip might be considered the more usual interests of 12-year-old girls.

But not these girls – who spend all their free time working on becoming international weightlifters.

Classmates Ellie Pryor, Ffion Owen and Taylor Addicott have been selected for the Wales squad for the upcoming International Junior Battle in Austria where they will compete against athletes from across Europe.

The trio of talents have honed their skills with Commonwealth champion Michaela Breeze, who has set up her own gym in Aberdare.

All three of them broke the Welsh record in their respective weight categories.

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Mountain Ash mum Bethan Pryor said she was astounded by Ellie’s quick rise onto the international scene.

The 12-year-old is reigning British Under 13s champion and is already training five times a week with the seniors.

The former gymnast holds the record in the Welsh Women Under-14s 42kg snatch and 50kg jerk at the 44kg weight level.

“You never think someone in your own family will one day compete for their country. A lot of parents don’t realise how great a sport it is. Ellie hasn’t suddenly become this bodybuilder type. It’s all about technique and the drive through the legs.

“And she still likes all the typical ‘girly’ things like doing her make-up.”

Taylor’s dad, Matt Addicott, said Michaela Breeze’s infectious passion for the sport has given the girls, all pupils at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun, great confidence.

Taylor holds the Welsh Women Under-13s record in the 31kg snatch and the 40kg jerk in the 58kg+ weight category.

He said: “She eats, sleeps and dreams weightlifting. She’s a really athletic girl and she’s got the build and stature for it.

“The youth section of the academy is full of potential and it’s down to Michaela.

“It’s the professional attitude and the organisation at the gym which makes her come back for more.”

Within four years, the girls hope to take part in the Junior Commonwealth Games in Samoa in 2016 and the full Commonwealth Games in Australia in 2018.

Michaela added: “The success of these girls has made the decision to move back to Wales completely worthwhile.

“The girls are often a lot more focussed than the men, and their passion and desire to get their head down and put the work in is superb.”

The connection with Rhydywaun school has been further strengthened after its 21-year-old receptionist, Christie Williams, made the Commonwealth standard in the 58kg weight category.

Should she be selected for the national squad, she could come up against Michaela in Glasgow.